Ten unsung heroes to watch in Jackson area football in 2018

Lumen Christi's Bobby Willis (1) comes up with a fumble recovery in the second quarter against Warren Michigan Collegiate during a Division 6 high school football state semifinal game at Chelsea High School on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017. (J. Scott Park | during the MLive.com)

JACKSON -- The last defensive player to win a Heisman trophy was a man by the name of Charles Woodson.

The last lineman to win a Heisman trophy was, well, nobody.

That's not because they aren't as important as a star quarterback, or standout running back -- but they generally don't make the flashy plays.

They don't always get their name in the headlines and sometimes it's easy to overlook just how important someone in the trenches, or a lockdown defender, can be.

The same remains true at the high school level.

That's why we're making sure to acknowledge 10 athletes who might not put up eye-popping numbers, but are without question some of the best players in the Jackson area.

Here are 10 unsung heroes to remember about in 2018, listed alphabetically.

Micah Cretsinger, senior, Jackson (linebacker)

Grand Ledge's Logan Techentin runs the ball against Jackson's Micah Cretsinger (21) during a high school football game at Grand Ledge High School on Friday, Sept. 29, 2017. (J. Scott Park | Mlive.com)

Micah Cretsinger, senior, Jackson (linebacker)

A top five athlete in the area, Micah Cretsinger has the size to be a college linebacker -- and if he has his way, hopes to go even beyond that.

Cretsinger, who stands 6-foot-1 and 225 pounds, also runs a 4.7 40-yard dash, with lateral quickness and a natural ability to stop the run. He says he struggled in pass coverage last season, so he's done extra agility work in the offseason -- he attended nearly one dozen camps in states from Illinois to New York -- while working out seven days a week in order to take a step forward as a defender.

He will also have the ball in his hands on offense, but Cretsinger is a natural linebacker and is likely the best in the entire Jackson area.

Cretsinger finished on the second team Dream Team as a junior, recording 42 tackles, three for a loss and one interception.

Brendan Doane, senior, Lumen Christi (saftey/linebacker)

Lumen Christi's Brendan Doane (52) during the Jackson Citizen Patriot media days for high school football on Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2018. (J. Scott Park | MLive.com)

Brendan Doane, senior, Lumen Christi (saftey/linebacker)

The only first-year starter on this list, Brendan Doane was expected to start last season until an injury early in the year set him back for the majority of the season.

Doane played sparingly throughout the year, but in a secondary as deep as the one the 2017 team had, he was never able to break into a major role.

This year will be different. Doane was one of the team representatives at media day and according to coach Herb Brogan will be one of the leaders of the defense this season.

"That injury kind of set him back, but even though he lost his role, he always did what he was asked and did everything for the team," Brogan said.
"He's gained a few pounds (15) this offseason, and he's ready to do what he has to do."

Tyler Oxley, senior, Western (offensive line)

Parma Western's Tyler Oxley: senior, OL/DL poses for a portrait during day two of the Jackson Area Football Media Day, Thursday, July 26, 2018, in Jackson.(Nikos Frazier | MLive.com)

Tyler Oxley, senior, Western (offensive line)

Tyler Oxley has looked up to fellow lineman Brady Yokom his whole career.

The two are in the same grade, are friends, and have competed with one another for years.

And the whole time, Yokom has admired Oxley's game as well.

"I think we're really similar," Yokom said of Oxley. "Both of us are athletic, and really to have two people who are so similar, just knowing how great and reliable he is, I just feel really good about where our line is as a whole."

The ability of the offensive line was a direct reason Western had its best offense in school history last season.

Boomer Perry, senior, Michigan Center (linebacker)

Michigan Center's Boomer Perry, senior, MLB/center poses for a portrait during day two of the Jackson Area Football Media Day, Thursday, July 26, 2018, in Jackson.(Nikos Frazier | MLive.com)

Boomer Perry, senior, Michigan Center (linebacker)

One of the most fitting names in the Jackson area this year, Boomer Perry can certainly bring the boom from his middle linebacker spot. And while he's certainly plenty strong, his knowledge of the game is his greatest asset.

And after missing seven weeks with a broken ankle last season, the senior is eager to make up for lost time.

Perry is in his fourth year as a starter, and he's watched the program first hand go from 4-5, to just reaching the playoffs, to becoming conference champions and winning a postseason game.

Now he wants to lead the team toward the next step -- an outright conference title, unblemished regular season record and district title.

Coach Troy Allen says he is a direct reason for that improvement because he's also debatably the best offensive lineman on the team.